Gas-shut-off valve pull box



Jqpe 11, 1929,

H. SIEBEN GAS SHUT-OFF VALVE PULL BOX Filed Jan. 24, 11927 3Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Hen/y .i/eb r? AT RNEYS.

June 11, 1929. SIEBEN 1,716,535

-GAS SHUT-OFF VALVE PULL BOX Filed Jan. 24, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Bym wA T RNEYS.

June 11, 1929. H. SIEBEN GAS SHUT-OFF VALVE PULL BOX Filed Jam-24, 19273 Sheets-Sheet 3 I. I l l INVENTOR.

Herr/y S/ebe/V A T RNEYS.

Fatented June 11, 1929.

HENRY stream, on NEW YORK,- n. Y.

GAS-SHUT-OFF VALVE PULL BOX.

Application filed January 24, 1927. Serial No. 163,205.

My invention relates to gas shut-off boxes, and has for its primaryobject to provide certain improvements in the construction of the same,whereby they are adapted for attachment to the exterior of buildingswithout the necessity for counter-sinking the same in the wall thereof,and yet at the same time presenting a minimum of projection as well asan ornamental appearance.

A further object of the invention is to provide an interior constructionof the same, economizing space and presenting a novel means forsupporting the operating handle and its parts as well as providing forthe 1 attachment of the body of the device to the building wall.

The accompanying drawings illustrate different practical embodiments ofthe invention, but the constructions therein shown are to be understoodas illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the invention.

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through the lower portion ofthe wall of a building, showing my improved valve pull box associatedwith a gas /main and its cutoff valve, the box also being shown insection.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary front elevation of the building wall showingmy box applied thereto.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section through the box attached to thewall, taken on the line III-J11 of Figure 2.

Figure 4c is a view similar to Figure 8, taken to one side of the same.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view partly in elevation and partly in sectionof the box, the cable conduit leading therefrom and the operatinghandle, the latter being shown pulled to position to close thegas valve.

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing a modified constructionin respect to the lead of the operating cable from the box to the gasmain.

Figure 7 is an enlarged front elevational view of my improved box, thecover being shown removed and depending therefrom, the cable being shownled therefrom as in Figure 6. v

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the box just abovethe guide pulley for the cable.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 5 of the modification shown inFigure 6.

Figure 10 is a front elevational view of a modified. form ofconstruction embodying the present invention, the cover, handle andcable being omitted.

Figure 11 is an inside face view of the cover removed from the box.

Figure 12 is a sectionon the line 1212 of Figure 10, showing the coverin position on the box.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a modified form of handle with theremovable plate thereof detached.

' Figure 14 shows said removable plate in perspective.

Similar numerals of reference denote corresponding parts in the severalviews.

In apparatus of this character, it is the object of the same to providemeans for operating a valve disposed in the gas main leading into abuilding, which may be operated from the exterior of the building by afireman or policeman, quickly to cut off the gas from the building inthe event of fire.

In the construction shown in Figures 1 to 5, the reference numeral 1indicates the front wall of the building, 2 the street gas. main, 3 thegas pipe leading therefrom into the building to the usual meter Land 5 abox containing a suitable valve adapted to be operated to out off thegas passing through the pipe 3. In this, construction leading from thetop of the valve box is a conduit 6, which at its upper end is connectedwith a similar conduit 7 by an elbow 8, the latter conduit passinghorizontally through thebuilding wall to the exterior thereof. lVithinthe elbow 8 is'a guide pulley 9 around which passes a wire cable 10which is adapted to control a suitable valve in the box 5, whereby apull on said cable will operate the valve to close the same.

My improved pull box comprises a base 11 provided with a lower closingplate 12 and upper rear lugs 13, said plate and lugs being apertured toreceive screw-bolts 14 adapted to be fastened in the building wall toattach the base thereto. The lugs 13 are formed with horizontalextensions 15 pro jecting toward each other and beveled on their innerfaces and adapted loosely to support thereon a handle 16 hereinafterdescribed. -The box 11 is formed with an annular forwardly projectingflange 17 against which a front plate 18 abuts when in position, saidflange being formed on each side near its lower end with. semi-circulardepressions 19 adapted to receive correspond ing projections 20 on theinterior face ofthe cover 18, as best seen in Figure 4. At each uppercorner the interior of the box is provided with a cam 21, adapted to beengaged by hooks 22 formed on the interior face of the cover 18, theconstruction being such that when the cover is applied to the base, thehooks 22 first are engaged under the cams 21, whereupon thesemi-circular projections 20 on said cover will fit into the depressions19 on the flange 17. The back plate 12 is provided with a circularscrewthreaded aperture 23 in its upper central portion, the same beinginteriorly flanged at 2 1, and provided with'a lug 25 in position to beengaged by the tongue 26 of a locking member 27 fixed tothe cover 18 andadapted to be operated by a suitable key to lock the cover in position,as readily will be understood. The base 12 also is provided in itsbottom wall with a circular aperture boss 28 internally screw-threadedto receive a pipe or conduit 29, shown in the modified construction ofFigures 6 to 9. Disposed immediately above said lug 28 is a guide pulley30 mounted in ears 31 formed on the interior of the plate 12. Theoperating cable 10, which extends from the valve mechanism in box 5, isattached to the handle 16, preferably in the manner shown in dottedlines in Figure 9. That is to say, said handle is provided withprojecting lugs adapted to receive screws 32 whereby a cover plate 33 isattached to said handle, the cable 10 preferably being looped aroundsaid i screw-receiving lugs and fastened thereon.

It will be noted. that the pull box provides an. alternativeconstruction whereby the cable 10 may pass horizontally therefromthrough the building wall 1 into the conduit 7, and from thence downwardin the conduit 6 to the valve box 5, or, as shown in Figures 6 to 9, mayhave threaded into the lug 28 the conduit 29 adapted to receive thecable 8 10 and lead it down the exterior of the build ing wall to thebox 5, which, in this event is located exterior of the building beneaththe pavement, as shown in Figure 6, said cable passing over the guidepulley 30 as it is led intothe conduit 29.

With both of the constructions thus far described, it will be apparentthat in the event of fire ina building provided with my improvedapparatus, the fireman or policeman who first reaches the building mayunlock the cover 18 of my improved pull box, and by grasping the handle16 and pulling thereon to the position shown in Figures 5 and 9, thecable 10 will be drawn to operate the valve in the box 5, instantlycutting off the flow of gas into the building. 7

In order that the cover 18 may not become lost when removed from thepull box, I provide a chain 34, which is hooked at oneend onto one ofthe lugs 14, and at its other end is attached to a staple 35 fixed tothe interior of the cover 18. lVith this device the cover when unlockedmay drop to the posia u I a tlon shown 111 F lgure 7, where it Wlll beretained by the chain 3 1 against loss, and may be replaced whendesired.

In order that there may be no delay in the opening of my improved box, Iprovide the same with a look like the fire alarm box locks of the cityin which the device is to be used, the result being that as everyfireman and policeman carries a key to these locks, he may use the samein opening my improved boxes. In order to indicate the character of thebox and its use, I provide the same with a monogram (not shown)embodying the letters G S 0 indicating gas shut-off.

The modified construction of Figure 10 is, in many respects similar tothe construction of the preceding figures. The box is provided, however,with a closed-back plate or base 112, which serves to entirely close theback of the box. It may be extended beyond the forwardly projectingflange 117 to form a flange corresponding to the part 11, but this isnot necessary, as the box of Figures 1012 is adapted particularly to beset into a wall rather than to rest upon the outer face of the wall asin the preceding figures.

The box is provided interiorly with h'orizontal extensions 115projecting toward each other and beveled at their inner faces, wherebythey are adapted loosely to support thereon the cable handle in themanner hereinbefore described, the same as in Figure 7. The box issecured in place by passing screws through holes 11 1 formed in the backplate 112, and as shown in Figures 10 and 12, the back plate may bethickened slightly by providing bosses 11st to give greater strength atthese points.

The structure of Figures 10 to 12 embodies a cover or front plate 118having thereon projections 120 adapted to cooperate with semi-circulardepressions 119, as hereinbefore described.

It will be noted, however, that instead of providing cooperating camsand hooks, as shown at 21 and 22 in Figures 4 and 7, the structure ofFigures 10 to 12 depends upon an interlocking relation directly with theflange 117. Projections 121 extend inwardly from the cover adjacent theside walls of the box, but do not interlock with cam surfaces in thebox. They merely serve to preclude edgewise movement'of the upperportion of the cover relative to the box. The flange 117, however,atjthe top of the box is extended forwardly beyond the cor= respondingflanges at the sides and bottom of the box to provide an overhang whichis designated 117 and serves the purpose of a rain shed. Thisoverhanging portion 117 is undercut as shown at 117 a to provide thereina pocket and the upper edge of the cover 118 is extended to form a lip118 adapted to extend into the pocket 117 to form, in effect, a tongueand groove joint across the greater portion of the top of the box, so asto shed rain. lVhen positioning the cover on the box, the lip 118 isintroduced into the pocket 117 and the cover thereupon brought intoposition to engage with the free edges of the flanges 117 at the sidesand bottom of the box. During this operation, the projections 120 willbe broughtinto cooperation with the depressions 119 to properly positionthe cover and to preclude edgewise movement of the cover with respect tothe box in any direction. 4

It will thus appear that the so-called rain shed including the pocketand the interfitting lip serve the same purpose as the cooperating hookshaped projections and cams in the construction of Figure 4, except thatthe constructions of Figures 10 to 12 serve, in addition, to precludethe entrance of rain at the top of the box.

The back plate 112 of the modified box of Figures 10 to 12 embodies abackplate which is provided with a circular screw threaded aperture 123,the same being interiorly.

flanged at 124, and provided with a lug 125 in position to be engaged bythe tongue 126 of the locking member 127 fixed to the cover 118 andadapted to be operated by a suitable key to lock the cover in position.

The circular apertured boss 128 is internally screw threaded to receivea pipe or conduit similar to the conduit 29. It will also be noted thatimmediately above the lug 128 a guide pulley 130 is provided, the samebeing mounted in ears 131 formed on the interior of the back plate 112.The parts just described are, it will be apparent, the same as shown inFigures 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9. I have not shown the cable as associatedwith the box in Figures 10 and 12, as its use in this connection will beapparent from the foregoing description.

It will of course be understood that the cover shown in Figure 11 may besecured to the box by a chain corresponding to the chain 34, and thatsaid box may be used either as shown in Figures 1 or 6.

In Figures 13 and 14, details of a modified form of handle areillustrated. The handle is here shown as made in two parts, namely, thehandle proper and a cover plate. In practice, the handle 116 is castwith a depression 116 from the base of which extend lu s or bosses 132,which are provided with tapped holes 13 the cover plate 133 is adaptedto overlie the recess 116 and is perforated as at 133', so that thescrews may be passed through these perforations and thread into thetapped bosses 132. The cable 110 is preferably looped about the screw receiving bosses 132, and, in practice, this looping is generally in theform of a figure eight, as shown in Figure 13. In order to lock thecable tightly in position, the base of the depression 116 is preferablyprovided with a pocket 36 and the cover plate 133 carries acomplementary projection 37 similarly placed, so that when. the cover isscrewed on tightly, the projection. 37 will cause a portion of the cableto be forced into the pocket 36 to form a kink or off set in the cable,which will positively lock the cable against slipping. This type offastening has been approved and is highly efficient for its intendedpurposes. Only a portionof the construction is shown in Figure 9 and thepurpose of Figs. 13 and 14 is to fully show the more desirable loopingof the cable around the lugs 132 and the offsetting of the cable by theprojection 37 as justdescribed.

In the foregoing detailed description, I have set forth the invention inits preferred practical forms, but the invention is to be understood asfully commensurate with the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A device of the character described,

comprising a fiat base having screw-receiving apertures therein, and anaperture for the passage therethrough of a cable, a shallow annularflange on the front face enclosing said screw apertures, acoverinterfitting with said flange, and a lock for securing said cover tosaid base.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a base, a shallowannular flange on the front face thereof, hooks projecting inwardly fromsaid flange at one end thereof, oppositely disposed depressions in saidflange near the other end thereof, a cover adapted to fit over saidflange, cams on the inner face of said cover adapted to interlock withsaid flange hooks, projections on the inner face of said cover adaptedto register with said flange depressions, and a lock on said cover forsecuring the same to said base.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a base, oppositelydisposed extensions on the outer face of said base projecting towardseach other, a handle adapted to be supported removably by saidextensions,

a cable attached to said handle and passing from the exterior of saidbase to a valve to be operated, a cover for said base normally enclosingsaid handle, and a lock for securing said cover to said base.

4. A device of the character described comprising a fiat base having anaperture through the base for the passage therethrough of a cable, aflange extending forwardly from the base, a cover, a keeper on the base,and key operated locking means carried by the cover to engage thekeeper.

5. A device of the character described comprising a box having a cover,a screw threaded opening formed in the wall of the box and into whichopening a conduit is adapted to thread to permit the leading of a cableinto the box, a keeper on the back of the .box, and a key operated lockcarried by the cover to engage said keeper for the purpose ofmaintaining the cover in place on the box. 1 i

6. A device of the character described embodying a box provided near thecenter of its base with a suitable keeper, :1 cover for said box, and akey operated lock positioned near the center of the cover and adapted toco-, operate with the keeper to lock the cover in place-on the box, anda conduit leading into the box and through which a rod 'or cable may beled into the box.

7 A device of the character described enibodying a box having anaperture therein, a conduit associated with said aperture and throughwhich a rod or cable may be led into the box, a keeper positioned atsubstantially the center of the back of the box, a cover for the box,and a lock permanently mounted on the cover and cooperating with thekeeper to lock the cover in place on the box. 7

8. A device of the character described embodying a box having anaperture therein, a conduit associated with said aperture and throughwhich a rod or cable may be led into the box, anti friction meanscarriedby and interiorly of the box in juxtaposition with the apertureand with which the cable is adapted to cooperate to minimize wear on thecable, a keeper positioned at substantially the center of the back ofthe box, a cover for the box, and a lock permanently mounted on thecover and cooperating with the keeper to lock the cover in place on thebox.

In testimony whereof I have signed the foregoing specification.

HENRY SIEBEN.

